As the rain danced loudly on our old iron roof, we were drawn outside to peer from beneath the veranda and watch the heavens open in an Autumn break not seen in years.

The sweet smell of rain blended with the spectacle of lightning and the cracking roll of thunder. It can be a frightening sound, but it’s one that brings a joyous smile to those who live on the land.

As the heavy roar subsided, our attention was drawn in a new direction.

In the glow of the veranda light, the spectacle of at least a dozen giant bardi moths spiralled out of control.

As if inspired to plough headlong into every solid object within their winged radius, they bounced from wall to ground and back again in what seemed like a game of insect badminton.

Their determination for self-destruction is indeed serious business and part of a life-and-death struggle.

These giant moths have but a few days to mate, breed and ensure the survival of the species, and at the rate they batter themselves about, you’ve got to wonder how they manage.

The local Murray cod population has enjoyed the heaven-sent bounty of flying tucker and the topwater action has seen many anglers wind their lures with a nervous twitch.

Expect it when you least expect it – but you never do, as every surface detonation beneath your lure still manages to frighten crap out of you.

Cod to 80cm have been taken in past weeks on the surface with a few monsters missed.

I expect this action to continue for some time yet, so make sure you pack a few topwater lures on your next visit.

The Wakool and Murrumbidgee rivers have produced the majority of surface action but there have been a few along the Murray as well.

These smaller rivers have fished well in the past month with plenty of cod and golden perch on bait and lures.

As the water temp continues to fall we will begin to see a few monster cod pop in from time to time in all these waters.

The Wakool is a cool-water favourite for larger fish.

With water clarity also on the improve, lure fishing looks set to heat up as things cool down.

The Murray River at Robinvale and Euston is also starting to produce a few fish with several over the magical metre landed in the past month.

With a few frosts under their belts, those trolling deep-divers will begin to bump into a few more big cod as the fish feed up before the tucker starts to become a little scarcer.

If you are heading to Robinvale for the first time, remember, it’s pool water where deep-running lures generally reign supreme.

A good mix might include both the 150mm and 120mm AC Invaders, the latter of which makes a great crash-diving lure for casting.

Muldoon’s Big Mong and the ever-reliable StumpJumper in a mix of the old and new bib styles are also valuable assets.

Smaller lures great at attaining downstream depth would include the Ultra Deep Predatek Boomerang, the RMG Poltergeist and the full-bodied Mong Mong.

Spinnerbaits are also handy and can be allowed to sink deep around the timber for good results.

Over the next few months there will be some very large cod landed in most areas and those fishos who don’t mind wetting a line in the cooler conditions will reap the rewards.